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James Intveld

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james intveld

James Intveld & The Honky Tonk Palomino’s – Never Gonna Let You Go

Sleazy Records – SR208 [2020]
Never Gonna Let You Go – To Be As One

james intveld

James Intveld recorded this excellent single in Spain in 2020 with Evil Bob Gothar on guitar, Lorne Rall on double bass, and Kip Dabbs on drums. Both songs are from the pen of Intveld.
Never Let Me Go is a smooth Rockabilly along the lines of Ricky Nelson. The B-side, To Be As One, marks the return of a lost art: the ballad. And this song, a superb and tender piece of music, is among the very best. Intveld really can handle the vocal for such a thing, and the band is perfect.

James Intveld – s/t

Bear Family Records – BCD 15 900 AH [1995]
Perfect World – Blue Blue Day – Cryin’ Over You – I’m To Blame – Barely Hangin’ On -Samantha – Your Lovin’ – You Say Goodnight, I’ll Say Goodbye – Kermit Vale – Wild Places

james intveld

James Intveld grew up in California and, from a very young age, developed an interest in Rock’n’Roll. He soon started to sing and play the guitar and enlisted his young brother Rick to play drums and Pat Woodward on upright bass to form the Rockin’ Shadows. They recorded one single with Steve Grindle (Ravenna and the Magnetics) on bass. But soon Pat then Rick left to join Rick Nelson and sadly perished in the plane crash that also killed Nelson.
After a break from music, Intveld eventually sent a demo of Cryin’ Over You to Rosie Flores, who recorded the song for her debut album. Then Intveld recorded the vocals for John Waters’ movie Cry Baby (in place of Johnny Depp) and played guitar with the Blasters between 1993 and 1995. That’s when Bear Family asked him to record one song for a compilation album. The song was so good that the label eventually asked him to record an entire album.

It is one of those rare records with no bad or even weak songs. Think about it and try to name just five; you’ll see it’s not that easy.

Perfect World lives up to its name. It’s the kind of tune that moves slowly but surely, almost inexorably, with a Presley-like drive and a solo reminiscent of Heartbreak Hotel.
Don Gibson’s Blue Blue Day suits him to a t and shows he can play steel guitar too. Cryin’ Over You sounds like an old classic. And it’s fine to hear Intveld’s version of his own song (not that Rosie Flores’s version was bad, far from that.) Mickey Gilley’s I’m To Blame is the second cover. While the original had a Jerry Lee Lewis/swamp pop flair, the Intveld version seems darker and more resigned.
Barely Hangin’ On is a superb country shuffle, whereas Samantha is more emphatic and closer to the great Roy Orbison. Your Lovin’ is a classic Country-rock tune with a slight 60’s feel. Next is You Say Goodnight, I’ll Say Goodbye. Listening to this song, I wondered why more artists weren’t singing such pretty and poignant ballads. And the answer struck me in all its obviousness: you must be a good singer. It doesn’t just mean singing in tune and having a good voice, but it includes the emotion, the dosage of effects and all those little things that make subtle differences. Almost anyone can make edgy Rockabilly songs, but a song like this is unforgiving and allows no mistakes.
Kermit Vales sounds a bit like Solitary Man, only darker. This stripped-down track, featuring just acoustic guitar, once again showcases Intveld’s vocals.There is a purity and an evidence in each of these ten songs, an intelligence in the simplicity of the lyrics, highlighted by the subtlety of the arrangements. All these qualities are confirmed by Wild Places, which closes the album in style.

James Intveld – Introducing

Bear Family Records – B10 10001 [1995]
Perfect World – Blue Blue Day – Cryin’ Over You – I’m To Blame – Barely Hangin’ On -Samantha / Standing In A Rock – My Heart Is Aching For You – Important Words – Your Lovin’ – I Love You – You Say Goodnight, I’ll Say Goodbye

introducing james intveld

This is the ten-inch vinyl version of the above CD with a slightly different tracklisting. Kermit Vales and Wild Places are not included, but instead you have four additional tracks. Standing On A Rock is a pure bouncy Rockabilly gem. I Love You is a Presleyan ballad whose recipe we thought had been lost. You will find two rereadings: a very fine one of Important Words and a new version of the muscled country shuffle My Heart Is Aching For You previously recorded with the Rockin’ Shadows.

Fred “Virgil” Turgis

Vince Taylor

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Vince Taylor – Brand New Cadillac – The Brits Are Rocking Vol.8

Bear Family BCD17646
Brand New Cadillac – Long Tall Sally – Rocky Road Blues – What’cha Gonna Do (Southern Love) – I Like Love – Sweet Little Sixteen – Endless Sleep – Baby Let’s Play House – Jet Black Machine – Shaking All Over – Ready Teddy – Move Over Tiger – So Glad You’re Mine – Lovin’ Up A Storm – My Babe – Right Behind You Baby – Twenty Flight Rock – Blue Jean Bop – I’ll Be Your Hero – C’mon Everybody – Don’t Leave Me Now – Mean Woman Blues – B. B. Baby (Big Blond Baby) – There’s A Whole Lot of Twistin’ Goin’ On – Love Me – Rip It Up – Have I Told You Lately That I Love You – Mimi – Peppermint Twist – Part I – Peppermint Twist – Part II – Pledging My Love – Don’t Ever Let Me Go

Vince Taylor

Vince Taylor had an undeniable charisma and the magazines knew how to exploit his half-angel, half-demon image. This same charisma, combined with a good dose of energy gave dazzling stage performances. Unfortunately, all this does not necessarily show through on his recordings.
His recording career begins with a very good Rockabilly-inspired single, the excellent Right Behind You Baby coupled with I Like Love on the B side. This one benefits from the presence of Tony Sheridan on guitar and Brian Benett (Shadows) on drums. Benett is renewed for the next session in February 59, and was joined by the excellent Joe Moretti on guitar. The result gives the dazzling Brand New Cadillac (the only composition by Vince Taylor on this compilation). This single piece would be enough to leave him a place in the pantheon of Rock’nroll. Success did not come, Taylor changed label and after Parlophone joined Palette for which he recorded another excellent single I’ll Be Your Hero with the wild Jet Black Machine on the B side. But already, we can see an evolution in the sound. After another solid single for Palette, Taylor found refuge in France and signed for Barclay. If the accompaniment always remains of quality, the inspiration seems to disintegrate and very often the listener has the impression of hearing an imitator of Gene Vincent or Eddie Cochran without the flame of genius that makes the difference. Taylor sings well, sometimes overdoes it, but too often settles for the bare minimum. The last period covered by this CD, corresponding to the year 1962, sees Taylor evolving towards Twist and a rather uninteresting pop-Rock.

Available here.

Eddie Cochran

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Eddie Cochran – Dark Lonely Street

Bear Family – BAF 14009 [2020]
Dark Lonely Street – One Kiss – Stockin’n’Shoes – Teresa – Pretty Girl – Summertime Blues / C’mon Everybody – I Remember – Teenage Heaven – Little Angel – My Way – Strollin’ Guitar
+ 28-track cd

Eddie Cochran had the whole package. He managed to do alone what Elvis did with the best songwriters, session musicians, sound engineers and producers. And he was like both characters of Cut Across Shorty: like Dan, he had the look, but like Shorty, he had something that can’t be found in books: class.
This beautiful 10”, released for the 60th anniversary of his death, pays tribute to his vast talent.
The twelve songs included on the vinyl demonstrate Cochran’s versatility. This young man, who passed away at 21, penned tunes that influenced countless musicians and singers, an influence that goes far beyond the strict rocking scene. His music contains the germs, in a complementary way with Buddy Holly, of all the sixties and even the premices of Punk Rock.
He was a top songwriter (Summertime Blues), a musician’s musician (as shown by the instrumental version of My Way) and a singer that could be mean or poignant (Teresa, One Kiss, Dark lonely Street). And, of course, he was a rocker (Teenage Heaven).
The accompanying CD widens the scope with more Cochran songs like the premice of Heavy Rock that are Nervous Breakdown, and Something Else. One will also find the first version of C’mon Everybody, titled Let’s Get Together. There’s also a wild rendition of Chuck Berry’s Sweet Little Sixteen and an interview.
You’ll also find Cochran guesting on Troyce Key’s Baby Please Don’t Go, a blues tune, the superb Rockabilly tune Guitar Picker sung by Bob Luman and Baker Knight’s Just Relax.
The CD concludes with Heinz’s Just Like Eddie, produced by Joe Meek. If not great, it’s a sincere tribute to an immense artist.
It features a beautiful and richly illustrated booklet.

Fred “Virgil” Turgis

Cochran Brothers

The Cochran Brothers – Latch On with The Cochran Brothers

ALP 10502 RV
Side 1: Mr. Fiddle – Two Blue Singin’ Stars – Your Tomorrow Never Comes – Guilty Conscience – Latch On (Version 1)
Side 2: Latch On (Version 2) – Tired And Sleepy –Fool’s Paradise – Slow Down – Open The Door

If you’re a fan of Eddie Cochran you probably already own this sides. They are available on the superb Bear family box set released a couple of years ago or on the Rockstar CD titled “Mighty Mean”. But this limited ten 10 inch records that comes in a gatefold sleeve is a superb object that is sure to make you want to buy it even if you

If you’re new to the music of Cochran and only know his big hits like Twenty Flight Rock, Something Else, Summertime Blues and so on, this album is the perfect introduction to Eddie’s early years as a country and rockabilly singer and the team he made with Hank Cochran (no relation) under the name of the Cochran Brothers.
Side one focuses on their country sides, with harmony vocals reminiscent of the “brothers group” of the era, with some occasional steel and fiddle. The success of Elvis Presley will have an impact on the duo and they will quickly start to record in a more rockin’ vein, as shown on side two. It’s easy to compare the two versions of Latch On to see the evolution of the band in a very short time.

Eddie Cochran – Eddie Rocks

Bear Family BCD 17136
Pink Peg Slacks – Blue Suede Shoes – Long Tall Sally – Twenty Flight Rock – Completely Sweet – Pink Peg Slacks – Mighty Mean – Skinny Jim – One Kiss – Mean When I’m Mad – Am I Blue – Twenty Flight Rock – Completely Sweet – Stockings And Shoes – Cradle Baby – Sweetie Pie – Pretty Girl – Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie – Teenage Cutie – Little Lou – Cruisin’ The Drive-In – Nervous Breakdown – Summertime Blues – Ah Pretty Girl – Nervous Breakdown – Let’s Get Together – Teenage Heaven – C’mon Everybody – My Way – Teenage Heaven – Weekend – Somethin’ Else – Jelly Bean – Don’t Bye Bye Baby Me – Cut Across Shorty
If someone would come to me asking “What is Rock’n’roll?”, the best answer I could give would be “Listen to Eddie rocks… on Bear Family”.Though I consider Bill Haley as the true father of Rock’n’roll, I believe that Eddie Cochran, who died at only 21 in 1960, inspired more musicians. Songs like Something Else, C’mon Everybody and Summertime Blues have been played one day or another by the Who, the Sex Pistols, T-Rex, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and many more. Only Chuck Berry can claim the same score.
This collection focuses on Eddie Cochran’s solo releases (no Cochran brothers here) and rockers only (no ballad, no instrumentals, no hillbilly). You won’t be disapointed and BearFamily being the perfectionnists we all know couldn’t help but include a rarity even on a “best-of” collection, namely the original version of Cut Across Shorty at the correct speed the song having been speeded up for its release.

Fred “Virgil” Turgis

Scotty McKay

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scotty mckay

Scotty McKay – Rocks

Bear Family BCD 17519
Rollin’ Dynamite – Tommy & The Tom Toms: Baby Let’s Play House – The Girl Next Door – Bad Times (Acetate) – I’ve Got My Eyes On You – You’re So Square – I’ve Been Thinkin’ – Little Miss Blue – Be-Bop-A-Lula – Let It Rock – Evenin’ Time (Acetate) – Midnight Cryin’ Time – Tommy & The Tom Toms: Somebody Help Me – Don’t Wait (Key C) (Acetate) – Tommy & The Tom Toms: Oh Boy – Roberta – Rollin’ Danny (Acetate) – Tommy & The Tom Toms: So Tough – Pull Down The Sky – Who Do You Love – All Around The World – Waikiki Beach – Cry Me A River (Acetate) – Little Lump Of Sugar – Sea Cruise – Tommy & The Tom Toms: You Can’t Catch Me – Dixie Doodle Dandy – Tommy & The Tom Toms: Jambalaya – Evenin’ Time – Scotty McKay Quintet: The Train Kept A Rollin’ – Don’t Wait (Key F) (Acetate) – Tommy & The Tom Toms: It’s Too Late.

Scotty McKay – real name Max Lipscomb – first made a name by playing guitar and piano with Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps during the December 1957 sessions that resulted with, among other gems, Baby Blue.
His tenure with Vincent was brief, and Lipscomb/McKay debuted a solo career. This compilation gathers sides recorded between 1959 and 1967. This period saw the music changing fast, and it’s not very surprising to find a wide array of styles performed by McKay and his different bands.
The connection with Gene Vincent remains strong with covers of Be Bop A Lula and Rollin Danny. But there’s also some sizzling Rockabilly with Baby Let’s Play House recorded under Tommy and The Tom Toms’ name. Next to these sides, one can find a bit of Rhythm’n’Blues (Roberta, Midnight Crying Time), and a fantastic soul-tinged number with mean guitar and harmonica (I’ve Got My Eyes On You.) McKay proves to be a more than competent singer on the more tuneful sides whether he shows inspiration from Elvis (The Girl Next Door) or Ricky Nelson (You’re So Square.) But he excels when he sings frantic rockers like Bad Times, Evenin’ Time, and of course Rollin’ Dynamite. Highly recommended to is All Around the World, a garage/psychedelic influenced version of Titus Turner’s tune and an amazing garage version, inspired by the Yardbirds of The Train Kept A Rollin.

Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight!

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Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight! – From the Vaults of Decca and Coral Records

Gonna shake this shack tonight

Bear Family BCD17602 [2020]
Jimmy Atkins & His Pinetoppers – I’m A Ding Dong Daddy (From Dumas) / T. Texas Tyler – Hot Rod Rag / Tabby West – Chat Chat Chattanooga / Lonnie Glosson – Pan American Boogie / Tex Williams – Big Bear Boogie / Autry Inman – Happy Go Lucky / Grandpa Jones – Eight More Miles To Louisville / Roy Duke – I Mean I’m Mean / Hank Penny – Bloodshot Eyes / Tabby West – Texas Millionaire / Hardrock Gunter / Texas Bill Strength – Paper Boy Boogie / Gene Stewart – Empty Seat In The Bar Room Booth / Rusty Keefer – I’m Just Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail / Tex Williams – Rancho Boogie / Jimmie Davis – Cherokee Boogie (Eh-Oh-Aleena) / Tommy Sosebee – All Night Boogie / Kenny Roberts – I’m Looking For The Bully Of The Town / Hardrock Gunter – Honky Tonk Baby / Chuck Murphy – Blue Ribbon Boogie / Hank Garland – Guitar Shuffle / Tabby West – Inchin’ Up / Grady Martin – Long John Boogie / Tommy Sosebee – The Barber Shop Boogie / Hardrock Gunter – You Played On My Piano / Jimmy Atkins & His Pinetoppers – Juke Joint Johnny / Tabby West – Pretty Little Dedon / Arlie Duff – Courtin’ In The Rain / Wayne Raney – 40th And Plum / Roberta Lee & Hardrock Gunter – Sixty Minute Man

Jimmy Atkins cut a superb double-sider for Coral. Without surprise, Ding Dong Daddy is a hot western swing while Juke Joint Johnny is an excellent hillbilly boogie with searing solos, including twin guitars.
Tabby West is a very versatile singer. As said in the liner, her voice could appeal to both rural and urban audiences. Despite a bunch of excellent recordings, she never made it big. Pretty Little Dedon has a bit of a Cajun flair, Texas Millionaire is pure hillbilly with fiddle and also features a hot guitar solo by Hank Garland, while Chat Chat Chattanooga is a swinging country bopper that showcases her clear diction. Inchin’ Up is more average, but the guitar break from Chet Atkins is worth mentioning.
The Delmore Brothers’ Pan American Boogie sounds like the epitome of the Hillbily Boogie genre. Lonnie Glosson’s version, on which the Delmore Brothers and Wayne Raney back him, doesn’t differ much from the original.
Tex Williams is, with Jimmie Davis, probably one of the best-known figures on this compilation and needs no introduction. Big Bear Boogie is a pleasant though dispensable novelty tune. The best being the scorching country boogie instrumental Rancho Boogie, featuring accordion, twin fiddles, steel-guitar, and piano. You’ll also find Wayne Raney on this compilation performing an excellent Hillbilly number.
At the exact opposite of Williams’ laid-back croon are Autry Inman and his nasal voice. His Happy Go Lucky is a superb country bopper.
Grandpa Jones was neither a grandpa nor a genuine hillbilly. It doesn’t prevent his Eight More Miles to Louisville to be a joyful and fast hillbilly tune.
Roy Duke’s I Mean I’m Mean is one of the highlights of this compilation. His vocal sounds like Ernest Tubb singing the blues while the backing is closer to Rockabilly as it can get, thanks to Hank Garland on guitar.
Talking about highlights, you’ll find nothing less than four Hardrock Gunter’s songs, including Sixty Minute Man in duet with Roberta Lee. In case you wouldn’t know him, Gunter played a brand of Country Boogie, influenced by Western Swing, especially by his idol Hank Penny (who is present here with his classic Bloodshot Eyes.)
Not much to say about Texas Bill Strength, except that the song is good, his voice is good, and the playing is equally good!
Gene Stewart was the brother of Redd Stewart of Pee Wee King’s Golden West Cowboys, for which he also played bass. Not sure if the Golden West Cowboys back him on Empty Seat In The Bar Room Booth, but the song is a hot swinging country boogie.
Rusty Keefer’s name might right a bell to Bill Haley’s fans. He wrote or co-wrote songs like The Walking Beat, R.O.C.K, or Rockin’ Through The Rye. I’m Just Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail falls halfway between Bluegrass and electric Honky Tonk.
Tommy Sosebee’s All Night Boogie, reminiscent of Oakie Boogie, is just average, while The Barber Shop Boogie seems more inspired by Chattanooga Shoeshine Boy.
If you’re looking for some uptempo hillbilly, I’m Looking For The Bully Of The Town by Kenny Roberts is what you need. Blue Ribbon Boogie is a solid boogie-woogie performed by Chuck Murphy and his piano.
Two great guitar player, Hank Garland and Grady Martin have their solo spots. Guitar Shuffle is an excuse to showcase Garland’s prowess on guitar (and it works), whereas Grady Martin’s Long John Boogie is more sophisticated, even pop-tinged, and features a saxophone.
Courtin In the Rain is a mostly spoken hillbilly by Arlie Duff in the rural comic tradition.
All in all, despite one or two less inspired tunes, you have a solid slab of Hillbilly and Country Boogie, with hints of Western Swing. Don’t miss it.

Available here

Fred ‘Virgil’ Turgis


Juke Box Pearls

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ruth brown

Ruth Brown – Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean

Ruth Brown

Bear Family Records BCD17542
This Little Girls Gone Rockin’ – Lucky Lips – Hello Little Boy – It’s Love (24 Hours a Day) – Mambo Baby – 5-10-15 Hours – Jim Dandy – Smooth Operator – Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean – Sweet Baby of Mine – Wild, Wild Young Men – Bye Bye Young Man – I Want to Do More – I Can’t Hear a Word You Say – As Long As I’m Moving – Papa Daddy – I Gotta Have You (With Clyde McPhatter) – Anyone But You – I Can See Everybody’s Baby – I Don’t Know – Walk with Me, Lord – Don’t Deceive Me – I Burned Your Letter – The Door Is Still Open – Why Don’t You Do Right – I’m Just a Lucky So and So – Sea of Love – Teardrops from My Eyes (Live) – Tears Come Tumbling Down (Live) – Oh What a Dream (Live) – Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean (Live)

The newest addition to the Juke Box Pearls series is all about Miss Rhythm herself, the great Ruth Brown. Following her hit Teardrops From My Eyes, she was also named “the girl with the tear in her voice,” referencing the squeak in her voice, a thing that Little Richard fully integrated into his style.
The sides presented on this compilation were recorded between 1953 and 1962. And except for three songs recorded for Philips by Shelby Singleton, those tracks were issued on Atlantic, also known as “the house that Ruth built.” That says it all.
Brown had a powerful and unique voice with an impressive range of emotions. The songs go from Blues, Rock’n’roll (including the very wild “Hello Little Boy”), torch songs, ballads, Mambo, Gospel, and Jazz. She could sing everything.
Four amazing live cuts, full of raw energy, complete the set.
If you don’t know where to start with Miss Brown, this collection is an excellent introduction to her vast talent.
It comes in a superb digipack with a thick booklet.

Available here.

Fred “Virgil” Turgis

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